Do you think that Marat's getting on Dinara's case at the AO (that she wasn't keeping up with the female "Russian Revolution") had any effect on her producing her best result, Gaz Open, and beating former #1 Amelie Mauresmo?

Do you think she has any potential of her brother (going top 5, say, in a couple of years?)

Do you think that Marat's getting on Dinara's case at the AO (that she wasn't keeping up with the female "Russian Revolution") had any effect on her producing her best result, Gaz Open, and beating former #1 Amelie Mauresmo?

Do you think she has any potential of her brother (going top 5, say, in a couple of years?)

I doubt he's "getting on her case". In interviews, when he talks about her, he usually says that he stays out of her tennis life altogether and let's their mother worry about that.

As for whether or not she can be as good as Marat, I sort of doubt it. I think she could be very good, but if she had Marat's sort of natural ability, it would already be showing.

Still, I was happy to see her do so well. (Shame she beat Amelie, but I'm still happy.)

"We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection." ~ Abraham Lincoln

I doubt he's "getting on her case". In interviews, when he talks about her, he usually says that he stays out of her tennis life altogether and let's their mother worry about that.

As for whether or not she can be as good as Marat, I sort of doubt it. I think she could be very good, but if she had Marat's sort of natural ability, it would already be showing.

Still, I was happy to see her do so well. (Shame she beat Amelie, but I'm still happy.)

Thanks for the response.

Regarding the "getting on her case", it is known that they had an argument over her performance at the AO.

Regarding her natural ability, I know girls tend to show their skills earlier then boys, but I think that compared to Marat at her age (19), she's about par. Remember, Myskina and Demen didn't really blossom until their early twenties.

No. I think this has more to do with Dinara maturing as a person and a player, mom Safina staying out of her tennis life and her taking care of her body and staying injury free than Marat being an ass and slamming her in his press conference.

The things he said were really uncalled for, he could have given a simple answer to a straightforward question but he put the nastiest possible spin on it, as someone on the Marat forum said, Dinara idolizes Marat and it would have hurt her terribly to be publicly condemned by her brother...if what he said hit home then good for her, but I doubt we should be directly attributing Dinara's success to Marat's big mouth, give her some credit.

Dinara at 18 has achieved more than Marat at the same age,and even though she was an outstanding junior and what not, people made her a star way before her time. She was always more famous for being the sister of Marat Safin than for any of her personal achievements so it's nice to see her coming to her own and making a name for herself. I think in the long run she will have the better career even though she's not as talented as her brother, simply because she's more determined, is willing to work hard..and loves playing tennis.

i can't remember where i read it but i think that the Fool is right. a tad exaggerated for effect of course i don't there was any confrontation between bro and sis but Marat did hint at his frustration at her performance in one of his post-match interviews -- and only bec he was directly asked. the media have always asked him about Dinara and he has always been honest. i remember when she first came on the tour and faced Serena in one of her earliest matches and lost 0-6 1-6 -- Marat then said (when asked) that he was impressed that she had won a game off Serena. i also remember agreeing with him at the time. i don't remember him saying that she "wasn't keeping up with the Russian Revolution" specifically (perhaps the Fool can provide proof ) but i do remember him hinting at frustration at her lack of results.

i'm sure tonite he's proud...

Dinara Safina, of Russia, shows her trophy after she beat Amelie Mauresmo, of France, at the end of their final match of the 13th Open Gaz de France tennis tournament at the Coubertin stadium in Paris, Sunday Feb. 13, 2005. Safina won, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.

Q. When you've played as few matches as you have over the last two, three months, did you ever lack motivation to go out and practice?

ANDY RODDICK: Motivation? No. I enjoy what I do. I enjoy what I do. You know, I've never been one to, you know, blow off practice or, you know, do anything like that.

You know, I'd be lying if I said I'm looking forward to practicing the next two days as opposed to playing here. That part is gonna suck...(2010 Aegon Championships)

Dinara: "Normally when we talk about tennis he tells me:`you don't know how to play tennis!!'

Marat: "Becouse if I tell her that she is a good player she will think that she a big thing already!"

Actually Marat played a large part in Dinara's tennis career even though he says he stays out of it, he was the one who mostly sponsored her when she was starting out and helped her get wc's into WTA events so no doubt he's proud of her...